Safety ski binding



US. Cl. 28011.35 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A safety ski binding for releasably securing a boot to i a ski, including in one embodiment a sole plate, a spring biased abutment for retaining the toe end of the sole plate to the ski, an undercut bracket to releasably hold the heel end of the sole plate to the ski, an adjustable heel plate on the sole plate, a hinged arcuate back plate on the heel plate carrying an adjustably mounted boot heel retainer and a spring-actuated pin biasing the heel retainer about the axis of the hinged back plate against the heel groove of the boot. In one embodiment the biasing pin is contained in a housing aflixed to the back plate so that the pin impinges against the heel plate in all of its positions and any forces, beyond those of ordinary skiing, releases the heel and toe of the boot. The housing has an aperture in its top to be engaged by the point of a ski pole, forming a lever by which the bracket can be moved against the biasing pin for emergency release of the boot by a skier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of different designs of releasable ski binders are known. These devices are used to protect the skier against injury resulting from the ski striking an object in the snow or the skier falling in any direction from the ski These devices are intended to securely fasten the ski boot to the ski against all ordinary acts of skiing and to lateral twisting, forward or rearward movement or force release the boot from the ski when there is abnormal between the boot and the ski. This type of protection is particularly necessary to counteract the excessive forces which occur in the legs or ankles when the skier suffers a forward fall. To accomplish this result, the prior art devices depend upon such expedients as rupture keys, compressional forces applied to spring-biased ball bearings held between apertured plates, special fittings affixed to the boot, overriding cam and lever members and the like.

Although the prior art constructions generally meet their objectives, too often there is a failure to remember that the primary objective of a ski binder is to hold the ski boot firmly to the ski and that there are unforeseen or counteracting frictional forces that arise in the cable guides, sliding members, telescoping members etc., to the extent that the binding does not hold, gives an uneasy or soft feel to the skier because of too much resilience, offers difficulty in adjustment, or, in case of an emergency, the binding does not properly release the boot. Many prior art bindings have only one degree of freedom for release upon being subjected to an overload, and require that two different bindings be coupled together. Generally, the binding for the heel of the boot is designed to open on a vertical over-strain while the binding for the toe of the boot is designed to open upon being subjected to a horizontal torsional load. In some instances, the bindings are of heavy construction, are not balanced because of adjustable side members or levers, and require special fittings or attachments for the boot. It is highly advantageous to provide a binding which fits any boot and takes into account the variations insizes of boots, variations in the shapes of individual boots of a hand-made pair and also can be used with boots of different design or which may be mis- United States Patent 3,492,014 Patented Jan. 27, 1970 shapen due to hard use and the effects of repeated wetting and drying. Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide a ski binding which is easy to attach to a boot, easily adjusted, easily removed from the boot and is of simple fool-proof construction.

It is accordingly the objects of this invention to provide a ski binding which avoids these drawbacks; to provide a ski binding which correctly releases from both the ski and the boot almost simultaneously so that in an emergency the assurance against injury to the skiers legs and ankles is made more certain; to provide a ski binder which is of simple design, having enclosed parts which do not freeze up with encrusted snow and can be quickly released by hand with the point end of the ski pole, if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention concerns a safety ski binding for releasably securing a boot to a ski wherein the entire sole plate with the ski boot attached is freed from the ski under abnormal conditions and in the case of any type of fall by the skier, any movement of the boot causes its release. Also any forces against the toe allow the sole plate to be freed of the ski and the resilient heel retainer becomes responsive to forward forces to release the boot from the sole plate. These actions are accomplished sequentially or simultaneously by having the sole plate mounted for quick release by a wobble-mounted detent pin at the toe end, whereby the boot and sole plate are immediately released from the ski under any type of force.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a boot and binding mounted to a ski in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a ski binding constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of ski binding shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 2 of the toe and sole plate hold-down means constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the lines 55 of FIG. 2 of the heel attachment means on the sole plate constructed in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the parts shown in FIG. 5.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a ski 10 with a ski boot 12 attached thereto by means of the binder of this invention having a toe retainer ring 14 engaged within the front groove 15 about the toe of the boot 12 and the heel retainer ring 16 engaged within the rear groove 18 about the heel of the boot. The sole 20 of the boot rests upon the sole plate 22 and the heel is carried by the heel plate 24.

At the toe end of the binder there is a spring-biased means 26 comprising a housing 30 integral with a base 32 held firmly to the ski 10 by means of the screws or bolts 34. The housing 30 has a longitudinal bore 36 which forms a guide for the coil spring 38 of the compression type. The bore 36 has an enlarged threaded end section 40, the threads of which are engaged by the adjusting screw 42 having a central shaft portion 44 which is encompassed by the last few turns of the spring 38 and may be separable to integral therewith. The rearward end of the housing 30 has a radial flange 46 defining a smaller end bore 48 which carries the detent 50. The end bore 48 has an inwardly and outwardly flared surface 51. The detent 50 has a base or enlarged portion 52, which is slidably engaged by the bore 36, and of slightly lesser diameter so that the detent 50 is guided in a Wobble motion along the axis of the bore hole. The outermost part of the end bore 48 forms a fulcrum for the detent 50 in its sliding and wobble relationship. These parts may be coated with a suitable cold weather lubricant or the housing can be made of nylon to provide a self-lubricating housing. Also nylon sleeves may be provided in the bores 36 and 48 to provide smooth working surfaces. A central shaft 53 is provided, integral with the base 52 to serve as a guide in assembly of the unit.

The detent 50, as shown in FIG. 4, is in its tension position, there being no ski boot in the binding. With a ski boot in the binding as shown in FIG. 1, the base 52 of the detent 50 will assume the same position along the bore 36 with the spring 38 as it is under suflicient compression to hold the sole plate 22 and the toe of the boot in place during ordinary skiing activities.

The sole plate 22 has an upturned ear member 54 which is of lesser width than the sole plate and has a threaded aperture 56 extending therethrough. The juncture 58 between the bottom of the sole plate and the top 60 of the ski 10 is an area of sliding contact during the releasing functions of this device. Other areas such as the surface 62 of the sole plate 22 may be of non-skid surfaces. A U-shaped bracket member 64 is provided with a pair of spaced opposed side Walls 66 and 68 having at the forward side the flanges 70 and 72 defining an opening 74 therebetween.

The bracket 64 is dimensioned so as to receive the ear member 54 along with the socket member 76 having a forward facing recess 78 axially aligned with the rounded tip 80 of the detent 50. The bracket 64 has a vertical slot 82 adapted to receive the machine screw 84, the head of which is larger in diameter than the width of the slot 82. The extended end of the screw 84 engages the threaded aperture 56 in the ear member 54. The rear side wall 86 of the bracket 64 carries the arcuate rod-like toe retainer ring 14 aflixed thereto in any desired manner, as by means of the weld 88. The retainer ring 14 is held at a slight downward angle in relation to the plane surfaces 60 and 62 of the ski and sole plate. The socket member 76 is held to the ear member 54 by means of screws 89 which extend through countersunk holes in the edges of the flange 90 which is an integral part thereof. It is seen by this construction that the vertical height of the socket 76 is fixed in relation to the detent 50 so that these parts" are always in proper alignment and that the screw 84 and the slot 82 allow slight vertical adjustment of the bracket 64 and the retainer ring 14 in relation to the sole plate 22. The flanges 70 and 72 are in sliding engagement upon the peripheral flange 90.

The rearward end of the sole plate 22 has a protuberance or tab 91 of lesser width than the sole plate and having the straight side walls 92 and 94, with a rearward edge 96 (FIGS. 3 and which is scived or chamfered rearwardly. A rear base plate 97 is affixed to the ski by means of the screws or bolts 98 and is provided with a pair of forwardly-directed lobes 98 and 100 with rounded edges that act as guides for the insertion of the tab member 91 therein and also provide lateral support in both directions across the ski by their close-fitting engagement with the sides 92 and 94 of the tab member 91. The inner edge 102 of the base plate 97 is scived parallel to the scived edge or surface 96 of the tab member 91 so that these two surfaces are in opposed contact when the sole plate is aflixed between the base plate 97 and the toe retainer 26. It is seen from this construction that with the sole plate in the position shown in FIG. 2 the main holding force is between the detent 50 and the matching scived edges 96 and 102 and sufficient lateral spacing is provided between the edges 92 and 94 and the lobes 98 and 100 so that any directional force against the toe end of the sole plate will free same from the ski.

The binding of this invention includes the heel plate 24 which rests upon the sole plate 22 and carries the heel retainer ring 16 by means of the quick release means 112.

The position of the heel plate 24 can be adjusted longitudinally along the sole plate by means of a pair of screws 114, which pass through the countersunk holes 116 (FIG. 6) in the heel plate, and engage the clips or cleats 118 thereunder, having the beveled edges 120 which engage the scived or undercut edges 122 of the longitudinal slot 124. As shown in FIG. 5 the heads of the screws 114 are flush with the top of the heel plate and the thickness of the cleats 118 is about the same as or less than the depth of the slot 124 so that upon loosening the screws the heel plate can be moved to a desired adjustment to accommodate different size boots within the limits of the length of the slot 124.

The heel plate 24 has a pair of outstanding ears 126 with the holes 128 therethrough adapted to receive the rivets 130 and engage the holes 132 of the arcuate heel band 134. The back portion of the heel plate 24 may be square or tapered, as shown at 136, to extend beyond the radius of swing of the heel band 134. Centrally of the heel band 134 there is affixed the quick release means 112 comprising a housing 138 which has an irregular or square outer configuration defined by its outer walls and an inner bore hole 140, threaded at the top to receive the adjusting screw 142. The bore also has the coil spring 144 and the biasing pin 146, which is normally retained in the bore by the relative positions of the parts. Thus, the heel band 134 has rounded points 148 and also lower edges 150 which are shaped in spaced relationship from the top surface 152 of the heel plate 24 to allow pivotal movement of the heel band.

The heel retainer ring 16 is afiixed to the collar 160, as by means of the weld 162, and is carried at a slight downward angle. The collar has a central aperture 161 conforming with the outer configuration, i.e., square shape of the housing 138 so that it will slide up and down thereon, but not rotate, and thus form a rigid mounting for the retainer ring. The adjusting screw 142 has a bore hole 164 in the top end to receive the pointed end of a ski pole to form an elongated lever therewith. An Allen screw 166 or the like on the back side of the collar 160 serves to hold same at the desired height against the housing 138.

The operation of the ski binding of this invention is as follows: The screws 114 are loosened and the heel plate 24 is moved to a position allowing the ski boot to be engaged between the rings 14 and 16 for initial setting for a definite size ski boot. When this is determined the nuts 142 are tightened. Now the toe of the boot is inserted in place so that the ring 14 lies on the offset on the front of the boot. The member 138 is moved rearwardly to allow the heel of the boot to seat on the heel plate. This can be done by placing the tip of the ski pole in the bore 164 and move the ski pole rearward about pivots 130, thus clearing the way for the heel of the boot to be positioned on the heel plate 24. Thus when releasing the rearward pressure the heel ring will be positioned on the offset portion of the heel. Any tightening of the screw 42 against the spring 38 changes the pounds pressure of the end 78 of the detent against the seat 78.

With the boot 12 so attached it is seen that any abnormal thrust will allow the sole plate 22 to slide forward against the detent 50 enough to allow the scived edges 96 and 102 of the sole plate 22 and base plate 97 to clear, and the entire boot and sole plate are free of the ski. Once the device of this invention is adjusted for a given size of boot it is only necessary for the skier to step into the binder, press the toe into and against the toe ring 14, place the tip end of a ski pole into the bore 164, move the ski pole in a pivotal movement backward to depress the quick release means 112 downward against the biasing pin 146 and slip the heel groove 18 into place before the heel ring 16. Release and removal of the ski pole allows the quick release means 112 to engage the heel of the ski boot and the boot is securely mounted in the binding.

It is apparent from the description that the rounded edges 148 on the heel band 134 prevent counterclockwise rotation of the heel band 134 and quick release 112 on the pins 130 beyond the relationship shown in FIG. 3 so that the biasing pin 146 stays within the housing 138. The biasing pin 146 can be otherwise retained within the housing 138. The ski binder of this invention is adapted for use with a ski boot of ordinary construction having off-set toe and heel portions, such as the grooves 15 and 18, respectively.

It is to be understood that the end bore 48 as shown in FIG. 4 may also be a straight line bore whereby all thrust of the pintle is axial only. Thus any abnormal thrust will cause the end 80 to pop out of the seat 78.

What is claimed is: v

1. A ski binder mounted on a ski blade for releasably securing a ski boot thereto, said boot having a sole with off-set toe and heel portions thereon, comprising:

(a) a sole plate on said ski blade;

(b) said sole plate having a bracket member afiixed to the toe end thereof;

(0) means on said bracket member to engage the 011- set toe portion of the sole of said boot; and means affixed to said ski blade to releasably hold said bracket member thereto comprising;

(d) a spring biased detent mounted in a housing on said ski blade;

(e) an upright ear member is provided integral with the toe end of said sole plate;

(1') a socket member is affixed to said upright ear member in operable relationship with said detent; and

(g) said bracket member has a flanged opening encompassing said ear member and said socket member; and

(h) means are provided to afiix said bracket member at desired heights from said sole plate along said flanges;

(i) a heel end on said sole plate;

(j) a base plate afiixed to said ski blade and having recess means to receive said heel end of said sole plate;

(k) said means afiixed to said ski blade to releasably hold said bracket member thereto and serving bias said heel end into the recess of said base plate;

(1) an arcuate heel band substantially encompassing the heel portion of said boot sole;

(In) means to pivotally mount said heel band on an axis transverse said ski blade;

(n) means on said heel band to engage the off-set heel portion of the boot sole; and

Q (0) means biasing said heel band about said pivot.

2. A ski binder in accordance with claim 1 in which:

(a) said spring biased detent extends from a bore hole in said housing;

(b) said bore hole having a beveled surface encompassing said detent whereby the extended end of said detent is wobble-mounted therein and is responsive to release from said bracket member under any abnormal thrust.

3. A ski binder in accordance with claim 1 in which said means to bias and engage the off-set heel portion of said ski boot comprises:

(a) a vertical housing mounted on said heel band;

(b) a pin within said housing and extending from the bottom thereof;

(c) means in said housing urging said pin against said sole plate.

4. A ski binder in accordance with claim 3 in which:

(a) means are provided to adjust the bias of said pin against said slidable mounting; and

(b) said pin bears on a heel plate slidably mounted on said sole plate.

5. A ski binder in accordance with claim 3 in which:

(a) a collar is slidably and nonrotatably mounted on said vertical housing;

(b) means are provided to afiix said collar at desired heights on said housing; and

(c) said means to engage said heel portion of said ski boot is affixed to said collar.

6. A ski binder in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

(a) said spring biased detent extends from a bore hole in said housing;

(b) said bore hole encompassing a portion of the rear of said detent, whereby the extended end of said detent moves only in an axial plane and is responsive to release from the bracket member under any abnormal thrust.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,667 10/1937 Parish 280-1135 2,614,858 10/1952 Pierce 2801l.35 2,616,714 11/1952 Cubberley 280l1.35 2,667,359 1/1954 Goodman 2801l.35 2,705,150 3/1955 Hansen 280-1135 3,241,849 3/1966 Bodycomb 2801 1.35

FOREIGN PATENTS 215,870 6/1961 Austria. 1,190,118 3/1959 France. 1,337,872 8/1963 France.

17,077 2/ 1904 Sweden. 185,701 3/ 1937 Switzerland.

LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner MILTON L. SMITH, Assistant Examiner 

